Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Royal Alexandra Theatre
⎯⎯⎯
Théâtre Royal Alexandra

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

1. Royal Alexandra Theatre/ Théâtre Royal Alexandra Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Constructed in 1906-7, the theatre is an intimate but lavish version of the traditional 19th century theatre, with two balconies as well as side boxes. John M. Lyle (1872-1945), one of Canada's most distinguished architects of the 20th century, designed the Royal Alexandra Theatre following the Beaux-Arts style, thus providing an elegant, setting for Toronto's sophisticated theatrical and musical events. Since its rescue and rejuvenation by Ed Mirvish in 1963, when it was to be demolished for a parking lot, this theatre again plays a central role in the social and cultural life of the city.

Construit en 1906-1907, ce theatre, avec ses deux balcons et ses corbeilles, est une version réduite mais luxueuse des théatres du XIXe siècle. John M. Lyle (1872-1945), l'un des architectes canadiens les plus renommés du XXe siècle, en a fait les plans d'aprés le style Beaux-Arts, fournissant ainsi un élégant décor aux activités les plus recherchées de Toronto dans le théâtre et la musique. Préservé et rénové par Ed Mirvish en 1963, alors qu'il devait étre démoli pour un paro de stationnement, co théâtre joue

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de nouveau son role de premier plan dans la vie sociale et culturelle de la ville.

[small commemorative plaque above the main one]
Plaque unveiled on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Royal Alexandra Theatre
Toronto
July 9, 1997
Government of Canada

Plaque dévoilée a l'occasion du 90e anniversaire du Royal Alexandra Theatre
à Toronto
le 9 juillet 1997
Gouvernement du Canada

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 43° 38.832′ N, 79° 23.25′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is on King Street West 0.1 kilometers west of Simcoe Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 260 King Street W, Toronto ON M5J 2H5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Royal Alexandra Theatre (here, next to this marker); Royal Alexandra Theatre - 1907 (here, next to this marker); Canadian General Electric Company Building (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line);

Royal Alexandra Theatre/ Théâtre Royal Alexandra Marker (to the left of the entrance) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

2. Royal Alexandra Theatre/ Théâtre Royal Alexandra Marker (to the left of the entrance)

Upper Canada College Centenary (about 90 meters away); Upper Canada College Boarding House (about 150 meters away); St. Andrew's Church (about 150 meters away); York Hospital Site (about 180 meters away); No. 2 Construction Battalion (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Royal Alexandra Theatre (Wikipedia).

The property was purchased by Ed Mirvish in 1963, owner of the Toronto discount shop Honest Ed's for the sum of $250,000. Mirvish said at the time that he knew nothing about theatre—had never even been inside a theatre—but knew a bargain when he saw one. As a condition of the sale, Ed Mirvish pledged to continue operating the Royal Alex as a legitimate theatre for at least five years. If, at the end of that time, he was unwilling to continue, he was then permitted to demolish the building and use the site for other purposes. Mirvish closed the theatre for one year - the longest it had ever been dark - for renovation and restoration. The Royal Alex re-opened in September, 1963, with the comedy "Never Too Late", starring William Bendix and produced by Ed Mirvish.

Postcard of the Royal Alexandra Theatre, 1923 image. Click for full size.

3. Postcard of the Royal Alexandra Theatre, 1923

Toronto Public Library (public domain)

(Submitted on June 29, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Royal Alexandra Theatre in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

4. Royal Alexandra Theatre in 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 29, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Royal Alexandra Theatre⎯⎯⎯Théâtre Royal Alexandra

Royal Alexandra Theatre
⎯⎯⎯
Théâtre Royal Alexandra